Switchboard



c. L. cALKlNs 1,795,930

SWITCHBOARD Filed March e, 195o 4 sheets-sheet 1 O OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Mara; 1o, 1931.

March l0, 1931. c. 1 cALKlNs 1,795,930

l swITcHBoARD Filed Maron e, 1930 4 sheets-sheet 2 z March 10,1931. 1 c. L. cALKlNs SWITCHBOARD.

Filed Match 6, 1930,

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 c. l.. cALKlNs 1,795,930

March 1o, 1931.

:swITcHBoARD Filed March 6, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 10, 1931 UNIfTEn Asrarfa:s`

PATENT `Serif-'lice CHAUNCEY L. CALKINs, ,or CHICAGO, ILIaNoIs, Assieuoafro TMPCRATOR COMPANY,

' or CHICAGO, ILLiNoIs, A CORPORATICNIOFILLINOIS SWITCHBOARD Application filed,y March 6,v

My invention :re-lates to the design :and construction fofa switchboard. Itis illustrated in connection with a switch board wh'ichmay be used tor a system ofcommumcation which lembodies a number of devices by means'o'f vmay be toi transmit visual signals,is-not il- 'f lustrated in detail-and isonly suggested in the accompanying drawings. because the switch board Iis -notlimitediin itsy use to any particular typef ot equipment.l It4 mightv be used fori standard manual telephone equipment, automatic telephone equipment, or any equipment involving switching .which .is preferably asse'ii'ibledv in a central switch board station.l

@ne objectoffthe invention is to provide a mechanism-.in which astructura'l'frame is provided and in or upon wlrichwequipment may be: rem'ovably", mounted, which frame will furnish-all of the. necessary structural elem'entsand structural-strength. .Another object of the 4invention isto'p'rovide' in connection `with such a switch board frame sheathingl which maybe made of any suitable lmaterialy and which servesmerely as an r-renclosureand hasno strengthening or supporting Kfunrtions. Another: obj ect of the invention is to malte such a switch' board m two main separable assemblies eaeh ot which't may have removably mounted iin itfcertain parts -v of the switching,mechanism and one-of which shall preferably serve-:asa support 'for the other.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagraml'n'aticall'y in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig.4 lis a trontelevation of the switch board complete, Withcertainof the switching and indicating elements shown;

Fig; .Qis a side elevation of the device y shown in Fig'. l

F-i. 3 is atop plan view;

Fig. l-.is arear elevation, x'vithlparts in section and parts broken away; Y

Fig. 5 's aY vertical cross sectionk takenvonl li'ne'5-.51 of Fig. l, with certain unitsof the serial No. 433,604.

switching mechanisms indicated in position;

Fig. 6 isa kperspective View oi the 'trame of the upper orA turret part ot the switch board 5 Figf? is aperspective view of the lower or base portion ofthe switch board fra-me.

Like parts are designated byy like charac-V ters throughout the specifica-tion and drawings, v

,The baseportion of the frame is formed t two relatively longbottom members A, A, which are joined by two relatively shorter bottomV members A1,.A1: Entending vertically at each cornerof the 'trame thus formed is a member A?, A2.' At their tops these are joined vby longitudinal .members A"",.A3` corresponding tothe meinbers A., and `by transverse members A4, A4, corresponding to tlie membersAl. Diagonal bracing membersA5, A5 may be'used at the ends and other diagonal bracing members A?, AG may be used on the sides. They are `preferablynot used at the rear' orback side because that side is preferably kept unobstructed to permit the insertion and removal of.` pieces of switching, telephone, or other equipment and wiring. A longitudinal equipment receiving` member A?, provided with a lseries ofperiorations AS, is fastened adjacent the bottom of the trame and may be supported on the members A1, A1 This member provided'to receive equipment which may be installed inf the switch board andthe periorations are provided to permit the installation ofthis equipment. A similar or corresponding member A'9 is provided labove the member A7 and is supported on the frame members A4, A4. The various members which `make up the base trame shown in igure 7 are provided with periorations so that the outer casing may be removably. attached to the frame;

p The turret frame, or upper frame, as shown in Figure 6, embodies four or more upright members B, whichinav form. or define the corners ot the frame. Joining kthe Apai-rs or" members B yarermembers B1, B1, which plo ject forwardly ofthe portions B 'andfserve to supportsonie of the equipment which is to support a shelf.ordesklikeportion which will be described below and at their forward ends the members B1, B1 support relatively short, upwardly projecting members B2. Intermediate their ends the members B2 support other upwardly projecting members B3. ySupporte-l upon and extending between each of the members B2, B3 is a relatively horizontal member B4. B3, B5 are frame members which are joined to the upright members B3 and extend upwardly at an incline and are joined at their opposite ends to the'adjacent vertical members B. The members B3 are provided with brackets or other suitable parts B3 to which other parts of the casing or parts of the equipment may be attached. Extending between each pair of vertical members B is a plurality of transverse members B7. These serre to strengthen the frame and also to form supports for equipment which is to be installed in the switch board. They are provided Y with suitable holes by means of which the parts which they are to support or which'are to be attached to them are secured. rlhey are preferably angular in cross section as shown. Extending longitudinally and joining what may be called the front pair of ertical members B, is a plurality of longitudinal members B3, BS. These may be of any suitable cross section and any two of them may be joined by vertical members B9, B9.'

rhe members B8 and B3 are provided with jferforations, by means of which parts which they are to support may be secured to them. B10 is a rear longitudinal member generally sin ilar to the members BS. The vertical members B3 are oined by a horizontal longitudinal member B11. B12 is a forwardly projecting member which preferably lies in the same plane. as the members B1 and is supported, intermediate its ends, by a vertical member B13 which is itself fastened to the lower longitudinal member BS. rit its forward end the member B12 carries a short vertical inember B14 which is generally similar in size and shape to the vertical members B1. Supported on the member B1* and on the member B11 is generally horizontal 'mem- #ber .l 13 which corresponds preferably in size and shape to the members B4. Extending upwardly and at an incline from the member B11 is a member B1G which corresponds generally in size and shape to the member It may be fastened to the lower longitudinal member B3 and is provided also with a generally horizontal rearwardly extending portion B17 which extends rearwardly beyond the end of the horizontal member B12. It is provided at its rear with an inclined member B13 which joins the rear of the portion B17 with the rear of the member B12. The inclined member B1G is provided with brackets B13.

Fastened in an inclined position to the forward part of the turret frame is one or more pairs of equipment supporting members C.

These members are mounted in the inclined position shown and each of them is provided in its upper surface with one or more notches C1 into which engaging parts of equipment may be placed and each of them is provided with a number of slots C3. These slots permit adjustable engagement `with or support for parts of the equipment which are to be positioned in the frame. Y

ln Figure 5 the two frame parts, namely the base and the turret, are shown as fastened together. rifheymay be bolted or otherwise secured together in any suitable manner. In this figure there is shown also in section the casing or housing members which enclose the frame, together with certain,diagrammatically indicated parts of con'ununicating apparatus. The particular parts in question form no essential part of the present invention and are shown in place only tovindicate that such parts may be mounted in the assembly. The assembled device, with the enclosing parts shown in full lines, appears in the first four figures.

A shelf or desk portion may be provided and when provided it is supported mainly on the members B4 and the members B15. It may be made of a central wooden core D which is provided with an envelope D1 of balelite or other preferably insulating material. Two or more dialing assemblies D3, D2 may be mounted on the shelf D1 and in this shelf member a plurality of keys D3, D may also be mounted. ln the particular installation shown, the dialing equipment is arranged for use in a visual communication systemand the keys are arranged for use as calling and resetting mechanisms in connection with the visual communication system. Two cover plate assemblies are provided on the inclined portion of the switch board although one or more might be used. Each of these cover plate assemblies is shaped to provide three inclined surfaces E. These surfaces are so inclined as to be readily visible to the eye of the operator and each is provided with a slot or opening E1 through which communication parts may show. These parts may be of any suitable form and are sometimes numbers, letters or other symbols, which are moved by mechanism not shown as they form no particular part of the present invention. ln each of the surfaces E, preferably adjacent the slot E1 is a tell-talelight E1 which flashes when the apparatus is inserted. Each of the cover plates is preferably formed as a unit and between' each two inclined surfaces E is a. relatively flat or less inclined surface E3. As in the form of the invention shown herewith, beneath each of the cover plates there are located three visual communication units EA1 which need not be shown or described in detail. Sufficient to say that the visual units. are so positioned so that they can be seen through the slots E1 and they ,rimesso aresupportedby b olts Efin the-slots C2.

at such station can senda visualimessage to the operator of the main-switch hoard,this message beingseen vthrough the slotvE1 over the, particular device which is being` operated. Each oct'- the cover plates may have araiset portion E along one edge and this portion E6' is provided with lone. or more openings through which jacks E7 project.

The frontside ofthe vertical ,portion of the turret maybe closed-in any suitable manner. It may4 merelyV be closed by a plating or sheathingor, as in the form shown herewith,

yin .which it supports instrument panels. That portion immediately above the inclined cover plates has removably. litted in it a panel G which isdivided in ellect intoV threeA Zones, the left hand ,zene Gr? beingpprovided with -a number'oi perforationsG? into. which one or more of the; jacks may be. inserted. For each one of the perforations a'tell-.tale light Gi is provided. The central zone G4 et' the panel G is provided also-.with perforationsG? and tell-,tale lights G6; The right hand zone G7 is provided witha-plurality otlights GE? and rows ot, push buttons Gt Next above. the panel .G may be positioned any otherpanel which may or may not carry instruments .or connections. ln the. form shown herewithapanel His .positioned and it carriesavoltmeterHl. The. top. .panel l has mounted in connection with it afplurality of service. units Il. Each 4of these units connects with a particular -station. When the station-calls its'uniit eomesinto. operation. A row., of numbers I? isprovided, a rowY of lights 13 a row of buttons orswitches I4, and

lbottom mem-ber M1 is also provided.-

a row of apertures Acrossfthe vtop ofthe l turretthe'coverl or casing member J lis provided whichlhas, in. its rear,.adownwardly projecting flan-ge. JE. Side. panels K suitablyshaped toconform tothe shape. ofthe f kswitch board assemblyareprovided 'and they may be made as aimit orfin separable parts. About thebottom oithe switch board yassembly is provided 'a fixed flange L which extends entirely about the device. It may be made and attached in any suitable manner. rlhe 'front o'f'the forwardly projecting shelf portion is closed or coveredgby a. member M and'a pending vdownwardly from the bottomy member M1 is aflange M2.

Nv is avfiont door or-coverplatei 1When in-` position,'as indicated in rful-l lines in Figure 5, it rests behind :the llange L at'theI bottom and behind the flange. Mat the top. ySuf-k licientplay,ispitovided., however, .that it maybe raised.' above, the langelr and .swung outward/.into the. dotted line. position, indifated. 'in'Frigur-e 5.y O is a Irearclosmg member whichais .engaged andfheld in positionv by the 'langesL and d1. Itmay be removed in the, same. manner as that described in con vnection with ythe front,mfnn'berxN.` v

'i Forsalre'of illustration certain other equip-k ment has been shown in position in the switch board P are relays., y@are terminal strips,

Rarefbusbars. S, S are fusepa-nels. The

jacks E7 are provided =with cords Orcables T vkwhicharey attached'. as at T1V and. provided with weights T2 which are mounted by means of pulleys ory rollers TF. There. is shown mounted on the-memberf M, a buzzer button ors switch U. V is a cut-out switch which maybe used .to ,cut outthe entireA board.

Itwill be realized thatwhile I have herein shown and Ldescribed an operative dev-ice, neverthelessmany.changes might be: made in the size, shape, numbers and disposition oi parts. withoutdeparting from the spirit. of my invention, andi request, therefore that my showing,` 4be ta-lrenas .in a ,sense diagrammatic, In, particular, whiley the `apparatus has been shown with typical parts of an .actually installed communication systemrobviouslythese Adetails form no Aessential part of lthe present invention because the type of coi-istructioii illustrated. herewith may` be usedor an almost infinite. variety of switch boards, adapted'to contain many-.kinds of appara-tus ,for use incommunication ,and other systems.

Iclaim l. In combinationlin a switch board, a .main supporting frame -formed in va plurality. of separable, assemblies,;,each assembly `formed y offframe members and providing` positions ofattachment, adapted to receive machine parts, the assemblies adapted to v,be removably fixed together, ,andy casing members removably attachable tov saidframe assemblies when the latterarejoined together, said frame assemblies. carryingthe entire weight of machine parts and the casing serving only to enclose theffraine.andl the parts which are positioned in or supported therefrom.

In combination ina switchboard, a main supportingrframe form-ed .in .two separable assemblies, eaelrassembly formed ot frame. members andyprovidingg positions of attachment, adapted tov receive machine parts, the two assemblies adapted tot be removably lined together, and casing members removably f attachable -to4 said .frame assemblies .when they latter are oined together, said casing members: adapted to surround and enclose the frame assemblies, lsaid, frameassemb'lies` carryingthe. entire weight of machine parts and the casing servingonly to enclose the trame andv the. partsvvhich are positioned in or, supported therefrom.

8.v ln combinationinv a switch board a main supporting frame formed in. two sepa rabia assemblies,each assemblyIl formed of frame membersand providingadjustable positions of attachment,` adapted` toy receive maiso chine parts, the two assemblies adapted to be removably lined together, and casing members removably attachable to said frame assemblies when the latter are joined together, said frame assemblies carrying the entire weight of machine parts and the casing serving` only to enclose the frame and the parts which are positioned in or supported therefrom.

4. In combination in a switch board, a main supporting frame formed in two separable assemblies, each assembly formed of trame members and providing adjustable and separable positions of attachment, adapted to receive machine parts, the two assemblies adapted to be removably ixed together, and casing members removably attacliable to said frame assemblies when the latter are joined together, said frame assemblies carrying the entire weight of machine parts and the casing serving only to enclose the frame and the parts which are positioned in or supported therefrom.

5. In combination in a switch board, a main supporting frame formed. in two separable assemblies, each assembly formed of metallic frame members and providing positions ot attachment, adapted to receive inachine parts, the two assemblies adapted to be removably Xed together, and casing members removably attachable to said frame assemblies when the latter are joined together,

lsaid frame assemblies carrying the entire weight of machine parts and the casing serving only to enclose the frame and the parts which are positioned in or supported therefrom.

6. In combination in a switch board, a main supporting frame formed in two separable assemblies, each assembly formed of metallic trame members and providing positions of attachment, adapted to receive inachine parts, the two assemblies adapted to be removably fixed together, and wooden casinginembers removably attachable to said traine assemblies when the latter are joined together, said frame assemblies carrying the entire weight of machine parts and the casing serving only to enclose the frame and the parts which are positioned in or supported therefrom. i

7. In combination in a switch board, a main supporting trame formed in two separable assemblies, each assembly formed of metallic frame members and providing adjustable and separable positions of attachment, adapted to receive a variety of machine parts, the two assemblies adapted to be removably fixed together, and casing members removably attatcliable to said frame assemblies when the latter are joined together, said casing members adapted to surround and enclose the frame assemblies, and the machine parts which may be positioned in them, said frame asseinbliescarrying the entire weight of machine parts andthe casing serving only to enclose the .traine and the parts which are positioned in'or supported therefrom.

S. In combination in a switch board adapted to form part of a system of visual coinmunication, a plurality of visible communication elements positioned in said switch board, and a plurality of assemblies adapted Y to display simultaneously a plurality of symbols and a covering for said assemblies, said covering provided with a separated, sloping portion for each of said assemblies.

9. In combination in a switch board adapted to form part of a system of visual communication, a plurality of visible communication elements positioned in said switch board, and a plurality of assemblies adapted to display simultaneously a plurality of syinbols and a covering for said assemblies, said covering provided with a separated, sloping portion for each of said assemblies, there being a plurality of openings in each of said slopes.

l0. In combination in a switch board adapted to form part of a system of visual communication, a plurality of visible communication elements positioned in said switch board, and a plurality of assemblies adapted to display simultaneously a plurality of symbols and a covering for said assemblies, said covering provided with a separated, sloping portion for each of said assemblies, there being a plurality of openings in each of said slopes, one to receive a tell-tale light, another to permit seeing of the symbols.

ll. In Y combination in a rswitch board adapted to form part of a system of visual communication, a plurality of visible communication elements positioned in said switch board, and a plurality of assemblies adapted to display simultaneously a plurality ot symbols and a covering :tor said assemblies, saidV covering provided with a separated, sloping portion for each of said assemblies, there being a relatively plain member defining a scparating surface between said sloping portions.

l2. In combination in a switch board adapted to form part of a system of visual communication, a plurality of visible conimunication elements positioned in said switch board, and a plurality of assemblies adapted to display simultaneously a plurality of symbols and acovering` for said assemblies, said covering provided with a plurality ot rows ot separated sloping portions.

13. In combination in a switch board adapted to form part of a system of visual communication, a plurality of visible conimunication elements positioned in said switch board, and a plurality of assemblies adapted to display simultaneously a plurality of symbols'and a ccxfering for said assemblies, said lll) covering provided with a plurality of rows of separated sloping portions, said Covering forming relatively plain surfaces separating said sloping portions from each other.

Signed at Chicago, county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 27th day of February CHAUNCEY L. CALKINS. 

